Slip resistant shoelace

Abstract

The present invention is for a slip resistant shoelace comprising a shoelace tube and one or more friction inducing features such as a plurality of beads placed inside the shoelace tube. The plurality of beads of the shoelace interlock with each other while in a knot and thus resist slipping of the knot in the slip resistant shoe lace. The interlocking occurs as one or more beads of the plurality of beads of one section of the slip resistant shoelace fit in space available between two consecutive beads of the plurality of beads of another section of the slip resistant shoelace which are passing over each other in the knot. The interlocking prevents the shoelace from getting loosened and untied inadvertently. The slip resistant shoelace can be tied and untied in the traditional manner.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to shoelaces. More particularly, the present invention is related to shoelaces that resist unintentional untying of a shoelace knot.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]There are many needs for shoelaces of all types, such as hiking boots with long heavy duty laces and dress shoes with shorter thin laces and many types of shoes or skates or other equipment with laces of similar descriptions in between. Typical sneakers used for athletes and children are very popular around the world and most use laces that go through grommets / eyelets or similar load leveling devices (holes along the left and right side of the middle of the upper along the forefoot area) and are tied off after adjustment near the top of the foot. This set up is largely ubiquitous across all shoe types and across all countries of the world due to its simplicity, cost, and function. The typical shoe lace system has one serious weakness, as the normal Bowknot which i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a slipper-resistant shoe-lace that does not require any external device to keep it secure. It has special shapes or surfaces that increase friction and bond within the knot, making it more difficult to untie. This feature improves the stability of the shoe-lace and ensures a secure fit.

Problems solved by technology

This set up is largely ubiquitous across all shoe types and across all countries of the world due to its simplicity, cost, and function.

The typical shoe lace system has one serious weakness, as the normal Bowknot which is also known as the Around The Tree or Traditional Knot, or any one of the other common knots of which there are approximately eighteen common knots used in shoe lace tightening, is easily foiled, usually coming undone by itself (lack of firm closure on the knot), or by the users foot stepping on a loose end that was too long due to uneven tying, or due to other circumstances.

Some of the methods include “double knotting” which is a poor solution because the adult or child cannot easily untie the double knot when it comes time to remove the shoe.

Other apparatus have been invented with poor results.

Most require an “extra step” such as clipping a plastic or metal clip on the knot which can become detached and lost and which detracts from the attractive design of the product, or tucking the laces into special holders sewn into the shoe or other methods, all which are either inadequate or require a behavioral change and additional training.

These hook and loop straps are useful for their intended purpose, however their unsightly design is unacceptable for designers and style conscious designers and is unacceptable for athletes who need even lacing tension afforded by the traditional lacing set up.

Furthermore it is not good for a child to rely on the hook and loop fastener as the child grows up because eventually there will be shoes that do not offer that type of closure system and the child must learn to tie a proper knot.

The triathlete can be injured or lose valuable time if either shoe becomes untied during the sport, however there is little time to properly tie the shoelace and often wet or hurried hands tie a poor knot which comes undone.

Additionally, young people such as a 9 year old child typically exhibits laziness with shoe adornment behavior which is most typically the act of shoving the foot into an unprepared shoe with a tied forefoot due to a double or triple tie knot which is too difficult to untie.

The shoe is quickly damaged because the foot is forced on while the laces are still tied, often with the inner support material of the heel counter being crushed thereby ceasing to provide support, ceasing to fit and align properly around the heel and ankle due to malformation.

The elderly exhibit nearly the same problems as the child, but not out of laziness or inability to understand, but due to body stiffness and lack of agility that comes with age they often have trouble tying and untying, and can become frustrated or put in peril if a shoe becomes untied at an inopportune time.

Many elderly get help tying laces in the morning and rely on those laces staying tied all day long, however they are often completely unable to untie a double knot if one is used.

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